Dynamo-electric machine frame



Feb. 16, 1937. L. B. EHRLlCH 2,070,713

DYNAMQ-ELECTRIC MACHINE FRAME Original Filed July 23. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 16, 1937. 1.. B. EHRLICH 2,070,718

DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINE FRAME Original Filed July 23, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTQI? law: 5: Ehr l h mzmm iatented F'ebr 16, 1937 EETNAMO-ELECTRIG MACHINE FRAME Louis B. Ehrlich, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to The Electric Auto-lite Company, Toledo, Qhio, a

corporation of Ohio r'irtginal application July 28, 1930, Serial No. 4lZiL123. Divided and this application June 11,

hiiil l tlaims.

This invention relates to dynamo electric machines and mom particmarly to the frame structure for those machines or the enclosed type such as are commonly employed as part of electric equipment for use with internal; combustion engines and is a division of my copending application. Serial No. 470,123, filed July 23, 1930, patented July 16, 1935, No. 2,008,493.

The invention has for an object the provision of a simple and improved end frame structure for a machine of this character which may be formed of sheet material.

Another object is the provision of a structur of this character formed of a plurality of parts which may be afterwards assembled in fixed relation affording an inexpensive end frame assembly which may be manufactured in comparatively large quantities, the parts being interchangeable to facilitate service and replacement.

The invention further embraces the provision of an end frame structure in which the bearing support for the armature shaft is' pressed or formed of sheet material coupled with novel means for fixedly securing the bearing support to the end plate.

Another object is the provision of a novel method and means for forming or shaping an element adapted to be received into a correspondingly formed or shaped member to prevent derangement of the parts.

The invention further contemplates the pro vision of means and an effective method of securing parts in fixed relationship.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this invention such as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the related elements of the structure, to various details of construction and to combinations of parts. elements per se, and to economies of manufacture and numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration of the specification and drawings of a form of the invention, which may be preferred, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a dynamo electric machine embodying my invention, parts being shown in section and illustrating the general arrangement of elements;

Figure 2 is an end view of the end frame construction of my invention; Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing in detail the end frame construction of my invention and taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the end plate per se of my invention;

Serial No. 26,031. In Canada October (Cl. 171--252l Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the hearing cup member per se forming a part of the frame structure;

Figure 6 is an end clevational view of the structure shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a view showing the adaptation of the structure of my invention with a plane bear- 1 8;

Figure 8 is an enlarged plan view of the end frame construction shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 9-4 of Figure 8.

Referring to the drawings in detail, I have shown the structure of my invention as incorporated in an electrical device of the type generally used in self-propelled vehicles, but it is to be understood that I contemplate the use of this structure wherever the same may be found to be applicable.

I have illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive one form of my invention as embodied in a dynamoelectric machine which comprises a cylindrical housing I; within which is revoluably supported an armature 8 carried upon a shaft 1 which is adapted to be connected by means of a key I or other suitable means to an engine or other oper ating means. The commutator end of the armsture shaft is Journalled in a suitable anti-friction hearing it supported in a cup l2 fixed to the cover or end plate I! which is secured to the housing I by means of bolts i4 preferably extending interiorly of the housing 5 and engaging the other end plate ii. The commutator ll carried on the armature shaft 1 is in contact with suitable brushes which are suitably supported in a manner to be hereinafter described.

It is desirable in a structure of this character that the armature be retained in a central position with respect to the field poles of the machine for its emcient and successful operation. In this connection if the bearing supporting the armature shaft is eccentric with respect to the radial distance of the field poles from the axis of the armature, the magnetic flux on one side is greater than upon the other, and with the armature nearer one side than the other, the bearings will wear eccentrically and will cause the armature periphery to strike or rub against the pole pieces. In order to effect and maintain the armature in a central position with respect to the field pole pieces, the cover plate I3 is provided with suitable struck-up arcuate projections l8 which engage the periphery of the casing I and serve to properly locate the plate with respect thereto and to center the bearing cup I! so that the armsture i5 may be properly disposed with respect to the pole pieces. In order to properly position the plate 53 carrying the brush holder in the desired angular relationship with respect to the pole I pieces, the end plates are provided with slots 24 which cooperate with pins 26 driven into the housing wall ll. This also prevents any circumferential displacement of the end plates with re spect to the housing.

I have provided a novel and effective means for securing the bearing cup I! to the end plate l3, this means being particularly illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive. The outer side wall of the cup 52 is provided with arcuate indentations or feather splines 2| as illustrated in Figure 5, the operation of forming these feather splines being by means of a tool (not shown) adapted to be brought into longitudinal engagement with the periphery of the cup l2, the tool travelling longitudinally of the axis of the cup forming the indentations or depressions 2i and at the same time carrying the severed metal to form the plurality of projections or shoulders 23 adjacent the termi= nus of the depressions N. The end plate 88 is formed with an opening whose contour is complementary to the exterior periphery of the re cessed portion of the cup, the plate being positioned against the projections 23 when the parts are assembled as particularly shown in Figure 3. The irregular contour of the connection between the cup i2 and plate is prevents any relative movement between these parts. Ai'ter assembly of the plate and cup, the portions 2? of the he riphery of cup i2 interposed between the indentations 25 are swaged or ring-staked as at 2% against the surface of the plate 03 thus permanently securing the parts together. 7

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the armature shaft i is provided. with a reduced end portion lit which snugly ts the inner race 3G or" an anti-friction bearing, the outer race snugly fitting the inner walls of the cup i2, thus providing adequate support for the armature. The end of the cup 62 is provided with a small opening its tor the introduction of oil into the bearing, this opening being normally closed by means of a suitable clip 35. The oil is prevented from flowing into the commutator and armature'chamber by means of a suitable gland or washer 37 of felt or other suitable material.

The portion of the cup l2. projecting into the armature casing is formed with a reduced portion is which forms a suitable bearing support for a brush ring 5i, this ring carrying a regulating or third brush. The ring at may be rotated about the axis of the armature shaft l in order to change the relative position of the regulating brush 42 with respect to the main brushes. In order to hold the brush ring ti in adjusted position, I have provided a plurality of brackets 41, each having projecting fingers 68 adapted to frictionally engage and hold the ring in adjusted position, the brackets t! being locked to the plate 53 by means of screws to. The main brushes 4% and 45 as well as the regulating brush are carried by suitable brush holders.

Each brush holder comprises a substantially U-shaped bracket suitably pivoted upon a post or pin 46 and insulatingly supported by means of a bushing 52 and spacing washers 53, spring 54 encircling bushing 52 urging the brush into engagement with the commutator I5. The brush holder is provided with a projection 55 serving to limit the inward movement o t e bush should the same become excessively worn, the portion 55 enacting with the pin 56 fixedly secured to plate 83; pin 58 also serves the purpose of preventing spring 54 from unwinding. I have illustrated a conducting element I51 serving to ground one of the brushes to the end plate which is retained in place by means of screw 49 which holds one of the brackets 1 to plate I3.

In Figures 7 to 9 inclusive I have illustrated my invention with a dynamo-electric machine in which bearings 01 the plain type are used. The end plate Bil enclosing one end of the housing 59 is provided with a struck-up projection SI for properly locating the same with respect to the housing. The inner center portion of the plate 60 is converged inwardly as at 61 and is secured to a bearing supporting bushing or sleeve 63. Bushing at is provided with leather splines and projections similar in construction to those of cup i2 previously described. Bushing 63 is fixedly secured to plate 80 by means of a swaged or ring-staked portion 65. Bearing bushing 86 is snugly fitted within the center opening in the sleeve 93 which forms a suitable bearing for a portion of the armature shaft 84. In order to lubricate this bearing, I have provided an opening 68 in the upper wall of the sleeve 83 which is in alignment with a groove 69 formed in the converging portion of the plate 60 which in turn is in alignment with a trough 70 spot welded or otherwise secured to the end plate Gil, the trough adapted to receive oil through an oil cup ll carried in an opening in the casing 59.

The construction of the end of the armature illustrated in Figure 7 lends itself particularly well in the saving of space in that the windings are so formed as to provide a suitable space adjacent the armature shaft into which space the sleeve 63 projects, thus making it possible for an adequate bearing support at this end of. the ar mature without any portions of the bearing projecting outwardly of the plane of the plate all. The plate is also provided with arcuate projections at extending oppositely of the projections 6i for the purpose of enhancing the inversability and interchangeability of the end plate for various installations. The arcuate projection 62 also serves the purpose of locating the dynamo-electric machine with respect to a suitable support it. The plate 5th is provided with suitable openings 75 adapted to receive securing means (not shown) for afiixing the dynamo-electrio machine to a suitable support is which may form part oi an internal combustion engine or other structure with which my device may be used.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention modifications and diflerent arrangements may be made other than is herein disclosed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.

What I claim is:

1. A combined end cover and brush support for a dynamo-electric machine comprising a sheet metal member formed with a section having a plurality of spaced struck-up projections forming a mutilated flange, said member being provided with a central opening; a bearing supporting element having its outer walls tightly engaging said opening for fixedly securing the element to said member; an integral tubular section formed on said bearing element adapted to project through the opening of said sheet metal member, said element being secured to said sheet metal member so that said tubular section is concentric with said multilated flange; a plurality of posts fixed to the sheet metal member radially equidistant from the axis of said bearing, each post supporting a bracket adapted to carry a dynamo brush and an adjustable brush supporting ring journalled upon the integrally projecting tubular section of said bearing supporting element.

2. A combined sheet metal cover and brush support for a dynamo-electric machine comprising a sheet metal member having a flat annular or peripheral section formed with a plurality of spaced struck-up projections and having a central opening formed thereon; a cup-shaped bearing supporting element having an integrally formed tubular section projecting through the opening of said member and being secured thereto sothat the tubular section is concentric with said struck-up projections; a plurality of posts fixed to said member radially equidistant from the axes of said bearing, each post supporting a sheet metal bracket adapted to carry a dynamo brush; and an adjustable brush supporting ring journailed upon the integrally projecting tubular section formed on the bearing supporting element.

3. In a dynamo electric machine, the combination with a casing provided with removable end heads, each of said end heads comprising a plate having arcuate projections formed out of said plate constituting a mutilated flange for engaging the inner walls of said casing; a bearing supporting element secured to said plate by distorting portions of its outer walls into engagement with an opening formed on said plate; a

plurality of posts fixed to said plate; each post nation of a casing having a plurality of pole pieces; an armature having a commutator and a shaft mounted to rotate in said casing; a sheet metal end cover for said casing having a peripheral flat portion and a central opening for fixedly retaining a cup-shaped element adapted to carry a bearing for the armature shaft, said cupshaped element having an integrally formed tubular portion projecting through said opening and having its outer wall concentric with the'axis of said bearing; a plurality of projections substantially equidistant from the axis of said hearing adapted to engage the inner wall of said casing for centrally positioning said armature in respect to said pole pieces; a plurality oi brackets supported on said plate, each of said brackets adapted to support a commutator brush; a brush supporting ring journalled upon a prdjection formed on said bearing supporting member concentric with said projections; a spring coacting with the bracket and engaging a stationary post carried by said sheet metal cover for urging the brush into contact with said commutator.

IDUIB B. EHRLICH. 

